thinking about giving in to the chondro temptation . . .

[iLLwiLL]

sooo, with this huge reptile expo in around 10 days or so (daytona) i think my main focus there will be to hunt out a nice GTP that fits my budget. i've been to a few different websites, but husbandry has been a little vague so far.

anyone know of any good care sheets around? also, any first hand experience regarding feeding, handling, and husbandry would be greatly appreciated.

~Will.

[Marla]

Here ya go: http://www.finegtps.com/Care_sheets.html
Also, I believe both Hillary Webb and Kara have significant experience with these beautiful animals and may be able to advise you as well.

[Smulkin]

Beautiful they are indeed - from the tons i've read on them I would avoid any glaring "bargain buys" - maybe more than most other species of python these seem to really be one where you get what you pay for esp in therms of assuring a CBB and not CH juvie that could be costing you an arm and a leg in vet bills down the road. My wife has desired one of these as long as she's been into herps and we've delved and delved and delved. Robert Coombs has a few as well and Kara from NERD would surely also be able to offer some insights.

[iLLwiLL]

what an awesome write up . . . thanks marla!! i think i saw someone on my street with an empty 55 gallon aquarium and stand in their garage that might be going out to the trash today . . . if thats the case i'll def. be looking for one at the expo. if not, i might beable to get a hatchling and keep it in a tupperware untill i can get it a propper cage when it gets big enough.

~Will.

[Marla]

Glad to help. I'd love to have a GTP one day.

[hhw]

If you get that aquarium, make sure you don't use a screen top... screen tops are bad enough for humidity for ball pythons who come from semi-arid climates... for a rainforest species, just forget it.

[green_man]

Just make sure your setup has the correct requirements well ahead of time.. GTP's are pretty picky about their husbandry...

I am personally looking to get an amazon tree boa at the reptile show this weekend. They have close to the same requirements, but are a bit more forgiving. Im going to get some experience with those first before I move onto chondros or ETB's.

I have a ten gallon setup (getting a neonate) I have it on end with half of the screen covered. I have a moss/ecoearth substrate and a big waterdish with an air pump running in to it so it bubbles at one end (provides extra humidity and little extra air circulation). If I keep my substrate moist, my humidity holds at just a little above 70.

Just some ideas if you are going to go the aquarium route...

good luck!